Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners met May 2 to discuss two ordinances authorizing purchases for the fire and police departments.

Pending approval at the next commissioners meeting, set for May 9, the fire department will receive two Hurst HP extraction tools, which, according to board President Joe Marx, are “power packs for the Jaws of Life and lift packs.”

Further, Marx explained electric car fires are a serious threat and the department is looking into an apparatus that would attach to the Hurst and hydraulically punch through the battery to spray water directly into the battery, cooling its core temperature.

The police department, also pending the commissioners’ approval, will purchase a 2023 Dodge Charger and two 2023 Dodge Durangos for the patrol division. The current Dodge vehicles are reportedly outperforming the Ford and Chevy/ GM vehicles.

Finally, the commissioners discussed a resolution that would approve TD Bank as the “approved depository and banking institute for township funds.”

The commissioners discussed Bill 13-2022, an ordinance authorizing the proposal for weatherproofing and structural preservation renovations to the Mickley Prydun Farm building, 3540 Ruch St.

Vice President Philip Ginder brought up the change from composite material shingle to a slate shingle. He felt the cost, weight and endurance of the composite material shingles far outweighed the slate ones.

The commissioners agreed to see what kind of numbers the bid proposals contain before making a decision.

The commissioners next meet 7 p.m. May 9 in the Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority public meeting room, 3213 MacArthur Road.